News broke this week of a tragedy involving a family with ties to Colchester. Many of you may have read communications from our Superintendent or First Selectman, and the town has listed resources that may help in the days ahead. While most Pastors are not also trained Psychologists or Therapists, I am here for our church family to process your grief to the best of my ability. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and we can set up an appointment.

In times like these, it helps to remember that God is the God of the sufferers. Nicholas Wolterstorff (a Christian Philosopher) wrote a beautiful book called Lament for a Son as he processed his grief after losing his 25-year-old son who died in a mountain climbing accident. It’s a book that is worn from wear because it’s a book that I’ve returned to time and again when I’ve sat with people who face tragedies that are hard to fathom. Nicholas Wolterstorff sat with his own grief and wrote reflections, realizing “God is not only the God of the sufferers but the God who suffers . . . through the prism of my tears I have seen a suffering God . . . Instead of explaining our suffering God shares it.” (pg. 81)

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do when something tragic happens in our lives and/or in our community. Words may fail us. Our heads may spin as we try to make sense out of tragedy. It’s my deeply-held belief that God can’t stop every difficult thing from happening. Instead, God promises that God is with us, always and forever. That we need not fear. God is the God who suffers and shares our suffering. And even though we may see a suffering God through the prism of our own tears, and even though that belief doesn’t fix tragedy, it strengthens us to go on. Let us hold the Todt family and all who love them in our prayers and resolve to be compassionate to one another. For once again, we may never truly know what anyone is carrying.

Love,
Pastor Lauren 

(This Week’s Thoughts 1.16.20)